Squaw Valley, CA – The Village at Squaw Valley is paying tribute to man – and woman’s – best friend this August with the 3nd Annual Peaks and Paws Festival on Saturday, August 25 and Sunday, August 26. Dogs and their people can enjoy 16 wineries, great beer, 12 hours of continuous live bluegrass, pet themed art, and activities and outings specially designed for furry friends.
A line-up of some of the roots and bluegrass acts will play in The Village each day from 2 to 8 p.m., with outdoor events kicking off earlier each day. All of the proceeds from the festival will benefit the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe.
Headlining at Peaks and Paws are the Dead Winter Carpenters, a high-energy, Americana/roots-infused five-piece band from North Lake Tahoe, and the Emmitt-Nershi Band, whose co-founders cut their teeth with Leftover Salmon and the String Cheese Incident, respectively. The festival lineup also includes a host of other roots and bluegrass acts including The Iguanas, David Jacobs Strain, Head for the Hills, Tony Furtado and Bison.
The festival’s pet-partner events will kick off on Saturday, August 25 with the Mutt Strut – a 3K run for dog owners and pets. The run will start and finish in front of Squaw Dogs in The Village. The Mutt Strut costs $5 to enter, with all proceeds benefitting the Humane Society. People without pets are also welcome to participate.
The Peaks and Paws Festival features unique pet products, arts and crafts to peruse from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Wine tasting will also be available in The Village at Squaw Valley from 3 to 6 p.m. on both days, featuring wines from 16 different vineyards. Bison will perform to accompany the wine tasting street party and add to the good vibes. The wine tasting costs $25 per day, including a festival wine glass. A $5 discount is available with entry donation. Flavors of Lagunitas beer will also be available for $4 from 2 to 8 p.m. All proceeds from wine tasting and beer benefiting the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe.
On Saturday and Sunday, people and pets can also join guided hikes around High Camp, exploring the unique flora and fauna that lives at elevation 8200 feet. Hikes are free with a Tram ticket or season pass and begin at 12:30 p.m. and at 2:30 p.m. each day, leaving from High Camp.
Sunday, August 26 also welcomes Peaks and Paws’ 2nd annual Fetch Fest at Cushing Pond. Starting at 3 p.m., the Fetch Fest will be a timed ball retrieval contest to see which dog can retrieve the most tennis balls from Cushing Pond before the time runs out. The Fetch Fest has a $5 entry, with all proceeds benefiting the Humane Society.